Means for flowing wells



Jan 30, l940 s. A. caunaERsoN, an 2,188,656

' MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS I Filed sept. 2s, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 1 Jan-30 1940 s. A. GUIBERsoN, 3D 2,188,656

MEANS 'FOR FLowING WELLS Filed Sept. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 SnowmanJan. 30, 1940. s. A. GUIBERsoN, 3D 2,188,656

MEANS lFOR FLOWING WELLS Filed sept. 28, 193e 4 sheets-sneer 3' Jan 30,1940- s. A. GUIBERSON. :an y2,188,655

MEANS FOR FLOWING WELLS man Juso, 194 2,183,656

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

MEANS` FOR FLOWING WELLS Samuel Allen Guiberson, III, Dallas, Tex.,'assignor to The Gulberson Corporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation ofDelaware Application September 2B, 1936, Serial No. 102,863

' 11 claims. (c1. 10a-zas) This `invention relates to new and useful im-A stili further 'object of the invention is to provements 1n means forflowing wells. provide an improved flow device including a One object ofthe invention is to provide an lower packing assembly and an upperpacking improvedv system -of flowing wells by means of assembly, withvaplurality of flow devices mountan auxiliary lifting fluid. n edtherebetween, whereby the well liquid enter- 6 Another object of theinvention ls to provide ing the space between the packers is lifted toan improved system of flowing wells, whichis the surface by means of anauxiliary fluid and particularly adapted for use in wells which are theow devices. alternately producingfor a comparatively short Aconstruction designed to carry out the in-l period each day. being shutdown the remainvention will be hereinafter described, together 10 derthereof; said system serving to conserve the with other features of theinvention. lifting fluid by trapping the same in the well 'I'heinvention will be more v'readily understood casing, whereby it isimmediately available when from a reading of the following specificationand production is again started after a shut down;4 by reference to theaccompanying drawings, ln the conservation of the lifting fluidresulting in which an example ofthe invention is shown, and l5 a greatsaving, especially in wells having a low wherein: standing liquid level.Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and An important object of theinvention is to partly in section, and showing the upper porprovide animproved system of flowing wells tion of a well flowing apparatus.Constructed in which consists in, packing ou the well tubing accordancewith the invention@v from the well casing at substantially the stand-Figure 2 is a view, partly in elevation and ing well liquid level insaid casing, introducing partly in section, and being a continuation ofa lifting fluid into the casing below the packer, the parts Shown inFigure 1, and controlling the introduction of the lifting Figure 3 is anenlarged view, partly in elevaf fluid by the pressure of the fluid inthe casing tion and partly in section showing the upper 2 5 above thepacking medium. packer assembly,

A further object of the invention is to provide Figure 4 is acontinuation of Figure 3 and an improved system of owing wells whereinthe showing the pressure valve structure, well tubing is packed oil?from the weil casing at Figure 4a is an enlarged detail view showing.Atwo spaced points, and a lifting fluid is introthe pressure valvestructure, 30 duced into the well casing between the packing Figure 5 isacontinuation of Figure 4 showing mediums, whereby the well liquid inthis space the lowermostv end of the device, is lifted through the welltubing; the lower Figure 6 is anl enlarged view, partly in elevapackingmedium preventing the pressure of the tion and partly in section, of thepressure valve $6 lifting fluid from contacting the producing sand,structure and the upper end of the lower packing 35 while the otherpacking medium traps the lifting assembly, fluid in the casing above thesame when the Figure 7 is a continuation of Figure 6, pressure ofthelifting fluid above the upper Figure 8 is a horizontal,cross-sectional view packing medium falls below aV predetermined takenon the line 8 8 of Figure 3,

point. Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view 40 sull anotherobject of the invention is to proteken on the line 9-9 of Figure 6, videimproved means for flowing wells including Figure 10 is a horizontal,cross-sectional view,

a packing medium at substantially theliquid taken on the line I0-I0 ofFigure 6, level in the wen casing, means for introducing Figure 11 is ahorizontal; cross-sectional view,

the lifting fluid into the wellcasing below said taken on the line iI-Iiof Figure 6, and 45 "medium, and a pressure valve actuated by the Figure12 is a vertical, sectional view of one pressure of the lifting `fluidfor controlling the of the iiow'valves. introduction of the lifting uid,wherebywhen In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates the pressure ofthe lifting fluid falls to a predethe usual well casing which extendsdownwardly termned point, the valve closes to trap the lifttothe .lowerend of the well hole and which has 50 ingiluid within the casing abovesaid packing a casing head Il mounted on its upper end at mdium; thevalve remaining closed until the a point above the ground level.Extending downpressure of the lifting fluid exceeds a predeterwardlythrough the casing head and well casing mined point,v thereby conservingthe fluid until is the usual well tubing I 2. It is noted that the v thenext operation. well tubing is suitably supported axially within thecasing head in any desired manner. An inlet pipe I3 extends radiallyinto one side of the casing head IIv and this pipe has its other endconnected with a suitable lifting fluid supply (not shown), such as gasor air. A manually operated control valve I4 may be connected in theline I3. All of these parts are of the usual construction and form nopart of the present invention, and are, therefore, subject to variation.

In carrying out the invention, an upper packing assembly A is connectedin the tubing string I2. This packing assembly is preferably located atapproximately the standing liquid level in the well casing, although itis to be noted that such location is not essential. Below the upperpacking assembly A, a plurality of flow valves B are connected in thetubing string and these valves may vary in number according to the depthof the well. Suspended from the lower end of the well tubing and belowthe ilow valves B is a lower packing assembly C which, when theapparatus Ais within the well casing, is located near the bottom of thewell. Thus, it will be seen that broadly the apparatus comprises a pairof packing assemblies which are spaced from each other and are connectedin the tubing string. Between the packing assemblies, a plurality offlow valves B, of any desired construction, are connected in saidtubing.

Any desired type of packing assembly may be employed, but I prefer toconstruct the upper packing assembly A as is clearly shown in Figure 3.This type of packing assembly includes a tubular mandrel I5 having acollar I6 threaded on its upper end. The upper end of the collar I6 isinternally threaded to receive the well tubing I2, whereby the mandrelis connected to said tubing. The collar is provided with an annularbevelled valve I1 at its lower end and this valve l is arranged toengage an annular seat I3 formed on the upper end of a sleeve I9 whichis 'slidably mounted on the mandrel I5. A coil spring 20a exerts itstension to hold the valve I'I ofi the seat. 1

An elastic packing element 20 has its upper end confined within thelower end of the sleeve I9, while its lower end is mounted within anannular retaining member 2I which is also slidable on said mandrel. Itis noted that the upper end of the retaining member 2| .is spaced fromthe lower end of the sleeve I9. A second annular elas'tic packingelement 22 is conned between the lower end of the retaining member 2Iand a collar 23 which is also slidable on the mandrel I5. The collar 23normally rests on the upper end of a sleeve 24 which surrounds themandrel I5. The sleeve is provided with an enlarged bore 24', and arecovery ring 25, welded to the outer surface of the mandrel I5 islocated within this enlarged bore 24'. It will be obvious by observingFigure 3 that normally the sleeve 24 is suspended on the ring 25 whichis fastened on the outer periphery of the mandrel I5.

The lower end of the sleeve 24 is made integral with a slip head 26which head is provided with a plurality of inclined faces 21, wherebygripping slips 28 may be slid vertically on said faces. It is noted thateach face is provided with a vertical dove-tail 21 which engages grooves23 in the rear side of each slip, whereby said slips are held on thefaces.

'I'he lower ends of the slips 28 are pivotally connected to the upperends of links 29, which links have their lower ends pivoted to a ring 30which is' slidable onthe mandrel I5. The ring normally rests on asupporting collar 3| which is welded or otherwise secured to themandrel. 'l'.'he

. ring 30 also engages the upper end of an'enlargedsleeve 32 whichencircles the mandrel I5 and collar 3I. This sleeve has a greater diam-5 eter than the diameter of the mandrel or collar and has no connectiontherewith. The sleeve 32 has the upper end of at friction springs 33secured thereto and the lower end of the springs are fastened to acollar 34 which surrounds the mandrel. It is noted that the springs 33are bowed so thatI their outer surface is in frictional contact with thewall of the well casing I0. The collar 34 is provided with a hook 35which normally engages a radially extending pin 35 which is secured tothe mandrel I5. l When the hook is engaging the pin as is shown inFigure 4, it will be obvious that the collar 34 is fastened to themandrel I5 so that it moves therewith. When the mandrel is rotated todisengage the pins 36 from said hook, it will be obvious that theVmandrei may slide with relation to the friction springs 33, collar 34and sleeve 32 secured to said spring. 'I'he lower end o f the mandrel I5is threaded, whereby the upper end of a pressure yvalve housing 31 maybe fastened thereto. 'I'he lower end of the valve housing is providedwith an internaly screw-threaded axial bore 38, whereby the well tubingI2 may be screwed therein. The construction `of the pressure valvehousing 31 is a0 clearly shown in Figures 4, 4a and 6, and thishousing'has a general cylindrical' shape, being f provided with anextension 39 at one side therev`thereof to a radial cross passage 4Ilocated near the upper end of the extension 39. A port 42 extends fromthe outer surface of the extension 39 and communicates with the upperportion of f the vertical bore 40, said port being positioned below thepassage 4I in a horizontal plane. A valve seat 43 is formed at theintersection of the port 42 with the vertical bore 40, and this seat isarranged to be engaged by a valve assembly 44, which valveis slidable inthe bore 40. As 5 clearly shown in Figures 4, 4a and 6, the lower end ofthe bore 40 is'internally threaded and enlarged at j 40', whereby aninternal annular shoulder is formed. The valve assembly 44 includes avalve pin 4I having a tapered upper end for engaging the seat 43. Thepin is shorter in length than the bore and an annular elastic packingsleeve 42' is located' in the lower end of said bore. The packing sleeveis closed at its upper end and has an external shoulder or iiange at itslower end, whichY shoulderV is arranged to seat against the internalshoulder "between the bore 40and enlarged portion 40'. The sleeve isheld in position by a ring 43' threaded into the lower enlarged portion40'.

For holding the valve pin 42 in its normally seated position, anelongate headed shank 45 j extends through the packing sleeve and has anintegral stud at its upper end. 'I'he stud passes through the closedupper end of the sleeve and is threaded into the lower end of the valvepin, whereby the pin is carried thereby. The shank has a sliding iltwithin the sleeve and.has its intermediate portion reduced at 45.- Acoiled spring 49 is confined within the lower portion 40' of the boreand has lits upper end engaging the head of the shank 45, while itslower end engages an adjusting nut 46 threaded within the bore 40'. Itis obvious that the spring exerts its presi sure to hold the valve pin4I' in engagement with "5 its seat, and by moving the nut within thebore 40', the tension of saidspring may be varied, whereby a greater orlesser pressure against the pin is necessary to unseat the same. Theextreme lower end of the bore 40 may be closed by a suitable plug 41'.When the pin is seated no communication between the interior of thecasing and the radial passage 4| is possible. For actuating the valve 44to permit a communication between the passage 4| in the valve housing31, and the interior of the well casing I0 at a pointbelow the upperpacking -assembly A, an elongate tube 41'has its lower end threaded intoa vertical port 48 in the valve housing (Figure 6). The port 48 has adirect communication with the inner end of the y radial passage 4I. Thetube 41 extends upward-U ly from the valve housing 31, through thetubular mandrel I5 and upwardly to the collar I6 at the upper end ofsaid mandrel. The upper end of the tube 41 is bent outwardly and extendsthrough an opening 48 in the side wall of the collar I6 and the outerend of this tube is opened to theinterior of the well casing I8 at apoint above the upper packing assembly A. It will be obvious that whengas or other fluid is introduced into the casing above the upper packingassembly A,`and said packing assembly is in its set or packed offposition, such gas or other fluid may pass downwardly through the tube41 into the cross passage 4| in the valve housing 31. If the pressure ofthis gas or other iuid is sufficient to overcome the tension of thespring 46, said gas will'unseat the valve pin 4I' which will open theport 42, whereby the gas may escape from the passage 4I into theinterior of thewell casing I0 below the upper packing assembly A.Therefore, it is obvious that the vertical tube 41 provides a by-passaround the packing assembly A when said assemblyis set or packed off.The valve 44 is a pressure valve and may be adjusted so that apredetermined pressure must be present in the passage 4I, tube 41 andspace in the well 'casing I0 above the packing assembly, before saidvalve is unseated to permit the escape of such gas into the wellcasingbelow said assembly. The tubing I2 extends downwardly from thevalve housing 31 and has a plurality of the flow valves B connectedtherein. The particular type of flow valve which is employed is notessential to the invention and, therefore, any suitable type of valvemay be employed. The details of the particular ow valve employed areclearly shown in Figure 12. Each valve comprises a casing 50 which isconnected in the tubing I2. A spring controlled ball valve 5I isarranged to engage a seat 52 adjacent the inletopening 53, whereby apredetermined pressure must be present in the well casing outside thevalve B before the ball 5I is unseated to permit the well liquidstanding within the well casing to flow into the tubing I2.

The lower section of the tubing string is formed with an annular flangeor ring 54` (Figures 4 and 6) A perforated sleeve 55 extends downwardlyfrom the'tubing and is provided with an internal annular shoulder 56which. engages ony the flange or ring 54, whereby the sleeve issuspended from the lower end of the tubing string. The lower end of thesleeve 55 is connected by a coupling collar 51 with the upper end of thevalve member 58 of the lower packing assembly C. A coil spring 59 isconfined within the per- Iorated sleeve 55 and has its upper endengaging the underside of the flange 54 on the lower end of the tubingI2, `while its lower end bears against the upper end of the valve member58 of `the lower packing assembly C. This spring, therefore, constantlyexerts its pressure to hold the annular shoulder 56 of the sleeve 55 incontact with the flange 54 of the tubing I2.

'I'he lower packing assembly is constructed substantially the same asthe upper packingv assembly except that its upper valve member 58 isprovided with an axial valve seat 60. This seat is suitably mountedwithin a valve cage 6I and a ball 62 arranged to engage said seat isconflned within the cage.

axial bore 58 communicating with the seat 68. The valve member 58 iscarried by the mandrel I5' of the lower packing assembly. An enlargedsleeve I9 having a valve seat I8 at its upper end is slidable on theupper portion of the mandrel I5'. A spring 20a' surrounding the mandrelwithin the bore .of the sleeve I9' engages the underside of the valvemember 58. A pair of annular elastic packing elements 20' and 22'surround the mandrel I5' being held thereon by the lower end of thesleeve I9', a retaining member 2|', and a lower collar 23'. It ispointed out that the various parts of the lower packing assembly aresimilar to the parts of the upper packing assembly A.

The collar 23' normally rests on the upper edge of an elongateperforated sleeve 63. This sleeve is provided with an internal annularshoulder 64 which rests on a recovery ring 65 which is welded, orotherwise secured, to the outer periphery of the mandrel I5'. Theperforated sleeve 63 has a greater inner diameter than the outsidediameter of the mandrel and also the lower end of this sleeve extendssome distance below the lower end of the mandrel. The lower end of thesleeve 63 is formed with an annular flange 66, which flange is arrangedThe upper end of the valve member 58 is, of course, provided with an.

to rest on the bottom of the hole, when it is desired to set the packeras will be explained.

In operation, the device is lowered into the well casing II), thelowerfpacking assembly being 4ln its retractedposition as shown inFigure 5 and the upper packing assembly A also being in its retracted ornormal position as shown in Figure 3. During this lowering operation,the pressure valve 44 within the valve housing 31 just below Ithe upperpacking assembly, is in its closed position, being held so by the coilspring 46. As the parts are lowered within the well casing, the flange66 at the lower end of the perforated sleeve 63 which is at the bottomof the entire appa ratus, will strike the bottom of the hole (Figure 2)to arrest further downward movement thereof. As the perforated sleeve 63becomes stationary, the mandrel |5 will be moved downwardly Within theperforated sleeve 63, whereby the recovery ring 65 on 'the mandrel I5'Will leave .the annular internal shoulder 64 within said"'sleeve. Thisdownward movement of the mandrel I 5' will be caused by the weight ofthe valve member 58 secured to its upper end as well as by the weight ofthe tubing string I2. It is noted that theweight of the tubing stringI2vis placed upon the mandrel I5 by means of the coil spring 59 which ismounted within the perforated sleeve 55 secured to the upper end of thevalve member 53 of the lower packing assembly C.

As the mandrel I5 moves downwardly, it will u portion of said mandrel.When this occurs, the u lation to the lowermost collar 23 which isresting on the perforated sleeve 63, will cause the elastic packingelement 20' and 22' to be expanded into engagement with the wall of thewell casing III. Thus, it will be seen that the lower packing assembly Cis thus moved into its set position, whereby the mandrel I5 is packedofi from the well casing I. An upward flow of fluid through the wellcasing is thereby prevented.

It is noted that upon the downstroke or lowering of the entire assemblyinto the well casing I0 and prior to the setting of the lower packer,the

valve 58 of the lower packing assembly C is held open by the coilsprings 20a. Also the valve I1 of the upper packing assembly A is heldopen by its coil spring 20a. At the same time the standing valve 62located at the upper end of the lower packing assembly C is alsounseated by the fluid passing upwardly through the mandrel I5' andtubing as the device is 4being lowered. 'I'herefore, it will be seenthat there is an ample bypass space for the well liquid-to flow throughthe assembly as the same is being lowered into the woll, wherebyresistance to said lowering is \re duced to a minimum.

During the setting of the lower packing assembly C, as above. explained,the gripping slips 28 of the upper packing assembly A are held in theirretracted positio-n due to the engagement of the hook 35 (Figure 4) withthe pin 36 of the mandrel I5. Therefore, it is impossible to set theupper packing assembly while the lower packing assembly is moving intoits packing position. After the lower assembly C has been set, thetubing string I2 and mandrel I5 connected therewith is rotated so thatthe pin 36 is disengaged from the hook 35 carried by the collar 34. Whenthis occurs, further downward movement of the tubing string and mandrelwill cause the lower end of the tubing I2 below the ow valves tocompress the coil spring 59 within the perforated sleeve 55 locatedabove the lower packing assembly. Therefore, the flange 54 on the lowerend of the tubing I2 will leave the annular shoulder 56 (Figure 6) ofthe perforated sleeve. This downward movement of the tubing will causethe mandrel I5 to move downwardly with relation to the friction springs33 because said springs en-` gaging the wall of the well casing willhold the collar 34 and sleeve 32 towhich they are fastened stationary.As the mandrel moves downwardly through the sleeve 32 (Figure 3) it willbe obvious that the slips 28 will be held stationary because they aresupported on the sleeve 32.

Continued downward movement of the mandrel I5 will cause the valve I1 atits upper end to overcome the tension of the spring 20a and to engagethe seat I8 at the upper end of the sleeve I9. When this occurs theweight of the mandrel and tubing string I2 is transferred to the sleeveI9, packing element and collar 23 (Figure 3). Since the collar 23 isresting on the sleeve V2li which carries the slip heads 26 it will beobvious that the weight of the mandrel I5 and tubing string I2 willcause the head 26 to move downwardly with relation to the slips 28 whichare held stationary by the friction springs 33. This movement of thehead will, of course, expand the slips 28 into engagement with the wallof the well casing, whereby further downward movement of the head 26 orcollar 23 is arrested.

After the slips have engaged the casing wall, the weight of the mandrelI5 and the tubing string I2 is exerted entirely upon the packingelements 20 and 22 through the sleeve I9, causing distortion of saidpacking element into engage.s ment with the wall of the well casing.After this upper packing assembly A has been set in this manner, it willbe seen that the well casing is packed off from the well tubing atspaced points. The lower packing assembly C is preferably located nearthe lower end of the well, While the upper packing assembly A is locatedsubstantially at the normal standing liquid level in the well casing.Between the two packing assemblies, it is obvious that the pressurevalve housing 31 and the flow valves B are located. It is noted thatthis space will, of course, vary with the particular well and,therefore, thel number of flow valves which are employed. is subject tovariation.

After the assembly has been lowered into the well casing Ill, and thetwo packing assemblies A and C have been set as above described, it willbe 1 obvious that the well liquid from the bottom of the well will flowthrough the perforations in the lowermost sleeve 63 and will enter theinterior of the mandrel I 5 of the lower packing assembly. This liquidwill flow upwardly. through said mandrel and will unseat the standingvalve 62 at the upper end of said assembly. From this point', the Ywellliquid will escape outwardly through the perforated sleeve 55 which islocated above the lower packing assembly and thus, the well liquid willenter the casing between the two packing assemblies. Since the upperpacking assembly A is located at substantially the liquid level withinthe/casing, it will be obvious thatthe entire space between the packerswill be filled with well liquid.

When the liquid has reached its normal level the valve 62 willautomatically close and thev .pressure is introduced the well will notflow. In

order to produce this flow, gas, air, or other lifting fluid isintroduced into thel upper end of the well casing above the upperpacking assembly A, through the inlet pipe I3 (Figure 1). This liftingfluid is, of course, under a given pressure and is forced into the wellcasing. The lifting fluid will flow downwardly in the well casing andwill enter the vertical by-pass tube 41 and will pass downwardly thereinaround the set packer A. 'I'his lifting uid will enter the cross passage(Figure 6) 4I in the valve housing 31 and the pressure of this fluidwill be exerted against the valve pin 4I. fluid reaches a predeterminedpoint, it will unseat the valve pin under tension of the-spring 46,whereby the lifting fluid may escape'past the valve seat 43 through theport 42 and into the interior of the well casing below the upper packingassembly A. As soon as this lifting fluid under pressure contacts thestanding or trapped liquid in this space it will be obvious that the in.

As soon as the pressure of the lifting be actuated whereby additionalwell liquid is raised. The remaining kick-off or ow valves 'B will thenoperate in order until substantially the entire space between thetwopackers empties itself of the well liquid.

The incoming gas or other lifting fluid is then` cut olf and as soon asthe pressure in the well casing above the upper packing assembly A fallsbelowva predetermined point, the spring 46 will immediately close thevalve 44 whereby the lifting uid cannot enter the space between thepacking assemblies A and C. Therefore, the lifting fluid which is withinthe well casing between the upper packing assembly and the top of saidcasing is thereby trapped therein and cannot escape. As soon as thislifting iiuid is cut oif, and the pressure below the standing valve 62exceeds the pressure within the space between the packing assemblies,the well liquid will again unseat the valve 62 and flow into said space.As soon as this space is again filled with well liquid, the liftingfluid is again introduced through the line I3 and the pressure of said`fluid within the casing above the upper packing assembly is raised to apredetermined point, the valve 44 is again opened andthe lifting uidintroduced into the space between the packers, whereby the kick-olfvalves B are again operated and the well liquid raised to the surface.The lifting fluid may be introduced through the line I3 and itsintroduction controlled by a manually operated valve which is yopenedand closed at intervals. If desired, an

intermitter D may be mounted in the line I3 whereby the lifting iiuid'is introduced at the desired interval.

` packing assembly and causes the recovery ring It is noted that withthis arrangement the lifting iiuid above the upper packing assembly Amust reach a predetermined pressure before it is l admitted to the spacebetween the two packers where the well liquid is trapped. After the wellliquid has been lifted through the well tubing l2, and the lifting :duidbeing introduced into the upper end of the well casing is cut off, thepressure of said lifting fluid will immediately drop whereby the valve44 is closed. As this occurs, the-lifting fluid is trapped in the spacebetween the valve 44 and the top of the well casing. This .isparticularly -advantageous because the lifting iiuid so trapped isconserved until the next operation when the valve 44 -again reopens. Itis obvious that when using the device in a well where the standingliquid level is comparatively low there is a large space above thepacking assembly A and the top of the well casing and thus, a large'amount of gas or other lifting iiuid which would be otherwise wasted istrapped within the well casing and is utilized upon the next operationof the device. Attention is called to the fact that only. the liftingfluid which enters the space between the packing assemblies A and Cwhile the valve 44 is open, escapesthrough the well tubing'. All othergas which nils the space between the upper packing assembly A and thecasing head II is conserved and, therefore, waste I of the lifting fluidis reduced to a minimum.

When it is desired to remove the device from the well casing, it is onlynecessary to lift the well tubing I2 upwardly. This causes'an upwardmovement of the 'mandrel I5 of the upper 26 welded thereon (Figure 3) tolift the sleeve 24 and slip heads 26, whereby the slips 26 areretracted. When the weight of the tubing string and mandrel Il is takenof! the valve I1 at the upper `end of the packing assembly A. the coilunseated position. Further upward movement of the tubing I2 andmandrelI5-Wi1l raise the entire upper packing assembly so that the pin 36 onthe mandrel (Figure 4) will strike the underside of the collar 34 towhich the friction springs 33 are attached. Rotation of the mandrel andtubing string will cause the pin 36 to again ride into the hook 35 onsaid collar whereby the friction springs are again fastened to themandrel. Continued upward. movement of the tubing string will cause theiiange 54 at its lower end to rise upwardly Within the perforated sleeve55 until said collar engages the internal annular shoulder 56 at theupper end of said sleeve. From this point on, it Will be obvious thatthe collar engaging said shoulder Awill serve to raise the valve 58 ofthe lower packing assembly C together with the mandrel I5 thereof. Therecovery ring 65 on said mandrel will strike the internal shoulder 64 ofthe lower perforated sleeve 63 and thus, the entire assembly will beraised.

It is pointed out that the lower packing assembly C serves to preventthe pressure of the lifting fluid which is introduced into the spacebetween the two packers, when-said packers are set, from contacting theoil sand at the bottom of the well. 'This is true because when thelifting fluid is introduced into this space, the pressure thereof willimmediately seat the standing valve 62 if said valve has not alreadybeen seated. It is pointed out, however, that the lower packing assemblyC could be eliminated and the operation of the flow valves B and upperpacking assembly A would be exactly the same. 'I'he only differencewould be that the oil producing sands at the bottom of the well would besubjected to the pressure of the lifting iiuid which is introduced belowthe upper packing assembly A. It is again pointed out that although Ihave shown a particular type of packing assembly, the invention is nottobe limited to the particular type shown. Also the particular type offlow valve B is subject to variation as any type suitable for thepurpose and known asaI stage lift kick-oft valve may be employed.

What I claim and desire to secure by letters Patent, is:

1. A well flowing device including a tubing string, a packing assemblyadapted to be connected to the lower end of the tubing string, ya secondpacking assembly connected in the tubing string and spaced above thefirst assembly, means for setting said assemblies in the well whereby apacked off space is provided therebetween,A said tubing string beingprovided with apertures to permit the well liquid which flows throughthe tubing string through the lower packing assembly to enter saidspace, means for introducing a pressure lifting uid into said space anda series of stage valves between the packers to permit the pressurelifting fluid to enter the tubing to raise' the well liquid to thesurface in stages through the tubing, and means for controlling theintroduction of the lifting fluid by the pressure thereof.

tubing string through the lower packing assem- Ably to enter said space,means for introducing a lifting fluid under pressure into the wellcasing above the upper packing assembly, a by-pass extending throughsaid assembly for permitting the introduction of the iiuid to the spacebetween the packingvassemblies, and a series of stage valves between thepackers to permit the pressure lifting fluid to enter the tubing wherebythe well liquid therein is raisedk to the surface in stages through thetubing.

3. In combination witha well casing, a tubing string within the casing,an upper and lower packer engaging the casing and tubing string atspaced points forming a chamber.. the tubing string being provided withopenings above the lowermost packer whereby uid passing upwardly throughsaid tubing string may flow into said chamber, a series of stage valvesbetween said packers to admit pressure fluid into the tubing and meansto introduce a pressure lifting fluid into said chamber, said meansincluding a one way valve, said valve and packers preventing the egressof said lifting fluid except through said stage valves.

4. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packer packing oilthe space between the tubing and the casing, a pressure controlled valvethrough which an auxiliary lifting fluid may be introduced into thecasing at a point belowthe packer and a plurality of stage valves belowthe packer adapted to be successively opened by the action of theauxiliary lifting fluid so that the liquid below the packer is admittedinto the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing instages.

5. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packer packing offthe space between the tubing and the casing and positionedatsubstantially the standing level of the oil in the Well casing, apressure controlled valve through which an auxiliary lifting fluid maybe introduced into the casing at a point below the packer and aplurality of stage valves below the packer adapted to be successivelyopened by the action of the auxiliary lifting uid so that the liquidbelow the packer is admitted into the tubing and is liftedto the surfacethrough the tubing in stages.

6. In combination with a well tubing and cas` ing, a packer packingwoffthe space between the tubing and the casing; means whereby an auxiliarylifting fluid is introduced under pressure into the casing above thepacker, means including a pressure valve whereby the auxiliary liftinguid is conducted around said packer and to a point ,A below the same,and a plurality of valves below the packer whereby the liquid below thepacker is admitted into the tubing at a plurality of spaced points andis lifted to the surface in stages.

sure of the gas exceeds a predetermined amount, and a plurality of stagevalves below the packer adapted to be successively opened by the actionof the auxiliarylifting iiuid so that the liquid below the packer isadmitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubingin stages. i 8. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a packerpacking oi the space between the tubing and the casing and positioned atsubstantially the standing level of the oil in the well casing, aby-pass extending from asource of compressed gas above the packer to apoint below the same, a one way valve in said by-pass so that thecompressed gas may iiow to a point below the packer into a space belowthe packer and a return flow thereof prevented, and a plurality of stagevalves below` the packer adapted to be successively opened by the actionof the auxiliary lifting uid so that the liquid below the packer isadmitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubingin stages.

9. In combination with a well\tubing and casing, a packer packing oirthe space between the tubingand the casing, a pressure controlled valvethrough which an auxiliary lifting uid may be introduced into the casingat -a point below the packer, a plurality of stage valves below thepacker adapted to be successively opened by the Vaction of the auxiliarylifting fluid so that the liquid below the packer is admitted into thetubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubing Ain stages, and asecond packer positioned beneath `besuccessively opened by the action ofthe' auxiliary lifting iluid'so that the liquid below the packer isadmitted into the tubing and is lifted to the surface through the tubingin stages,l and a second packer positioned beneath the lowermost stagevalve and acting as a means to prevent the pressure below the upperpacker from being exerted on the bottom of the well.

11. In combination with a well tubing and casing, a 'packer between the`tubing and casing -at substantially the normal ,standing level of thewell liquid, a second packer placed a substantial distance below thenrst packer, a plurality of stage valves in the tubing between thepackers, means to introducev an auxiliary lifting fluid be- Y tween saidpackers, a one way pressureV valve in said means, said pressure valveland packers serving as a means to prevent the escape of the aux- 'liliaryA lifting uid except through v said 'stage valves. f

Y SAMUEL ALLEN GUIBERSON, HI.

